Right on freqflyer. I agree that it is nice for Carrie to help her grandmother. There are a lot of things to consider. I'm glad you mentioned about S.S. and taxes. There are local Councils on Aging and Agencies on Aging that have a lot of valuable resources for the elderly and their caregivers. Caregiver burnout is not good at any age, but especially if it happens at such a young age.
Carrie, it is nice that you volunteered to step in to care for your grandmother.
I noticed you are 29 years old, that is quite young to quit work... I can see you doing that if you know that your grandmother has limited time.... one with lung issues can live for many years and you will need to be ready for that. Hopefully grandma can pay you a salary, but you will need to pay estimated quarterly income taxes, and see if you can put some money into your own social security [you will need that for your own retirement].
Hoping this all works out for you. Take a few minutes and read about Caregiver burn out, as time progress, even at your young age such caring can be exhausting.
Finances make a great deal of difference in this situation. Can Gram afford to pay you? If you hadn't moved in, would she have been able to pay someone else?
If Gram has very low income and few assets, she might qualify for Medicaid, and in most states they have a program that pays for a certain amount of in-home help. Another thing they often cover is adult day health centers, so you could work while she is cared for there and then be with her in the evening and overnight.
I am a little surprised that you quit your job and moved in without making sure it could work financially, first. Was this an emergency?
How old is Gram? What is the her health status? How long are you intending to be her caregiver? Do you have a plan in place to get away regularly and have some time to yourself?
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Hope this helps.
I noticed you are 29 years old, that is quite young to quit work... I can see you doing that if you know that your grandmother has limited time.... one with lung issues can live for many years and you will need to be ready for that. Hopefully grandma can pay you a salary, but you will need to pay estimated quarterly income taxes, and see if you can put some money into your own social security [you will need that for your own retirement].
Hoping this all works out for you. Take a few minutes and read about Caregiver burn out, as time progress, even at your young age such caring can be exhausting.
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Finances make a great deal of difference in this situation. Can Gram afford to pay you? If you hadn't moved in, would she have been able to pay someone else?
If Gram has very low income and few assets, she might qualify for Medicaid, and in most states they have a program that pays for a certain amount of in-home help. Another thing they often cover is adult day health centers, so you could work while she is cared for there and then be with her in the evening and overnight.
I am a little surprised that you quit your job and moved in without making sure it could work financially, first. Was this an emergency?
How old is Gram? What is the her health status? How long are you intending to be her caregiver? Do you have a plan in place to get away regularly and have some time to yourself?